Does cooking loquat with rock sugar help relieve cough?

Loquat cooked with rock sugar is commonly used to relieve coughing symptoms. However, its effectiveness depends on the specific cause, and attention should be paid to the suitable population and method of consumption. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Loquat has functions of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, eliminating phlegm, and alleviating asthma, while rock sugar helps clear heat, moisten the lungs, relieve cough, and resolve phlegm. When cooked together, their effects can work synergistically to enhance cough relief. The amygdalin in loquat is released during the cooking process, and combined with the moistening properties of rock sugar, it can help alleviate dry cough with little or no phlegm caused by lung dryness. Patients with chronic bronchitis may benefit from moderate consumption to help moisten the lungs and expel phlegm.

However, if the cough is caused by bacterial infection or severe respiratory disease, prompt medical attention is necessary, as dietary remedies alone cannot replace medical treatment. Diabetic patients should avoid consuming rock sugar due to its high sugar content. Those with a cold body constitution may experience discomfort such as abdominal pain and loose stools if consumed in excess. Loquat cooked with rock sugar can be used as an adjunctive therapy; mild cough sufferers may try drinking it, but if symptoms persist or worsen, immediate medical consultation is required to determine the underlying cause.